When studying birds, there are some books that really ramp up the study to something special and exciting. Beautiful picture books can do just that. The Robins in Your Backyard by Nancy Carol Willis is just such a book. 

This hardback picture book has 31 full-color pages that take the reader through the seasons where these lovely songbirds are in the backyard by following the story of a male robin. Starting in March when he arrives in the breeding grounds through two hatchings of chicks and on into the fall when they leave for their winter grounds, the reader follows along with the life of the robin and his mate. 

The beautiful, full-color illustrations help the reader learn about the life of a robin. From inside the egg to being a parent that must feed the chicks every ten minutes, the reader is given a lot of inside information about these lovely birds. Fun facts are included, engaging the reader over and over. Who knew that baby robins eat 14 feet of earthworms a day?

After the story ends, there is a two-page spread teaching about how to handle baby birds and give them the best chance for survival if one is found. Debunking some common myths and giving emergency feeding instructions, this section is a good one for students who want to help wildlife when they find them. There is also contact information for those who might need it with a bird that needs more help. 

Finally, the last page of the book has a glossary for some of the words used in the story that has meanings specific to birds such as migrate, downy, and preen. At the bottom of the page is a timeline that shows the cycle of a robin during the year from arriving at breeding grounds through the return migration. 

When looking for picture books, beautiful, full-color, glossy pages make it attractive and engaging. Add in interesting text and facts and the book will be a real winner. The Robins in Your Backyard by Nancy Carol Willis is a book that fits that bill.

-Product review by Lori Hooten, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, September 2019